The Legal Framework of Waiting Lists

The Hungarian healthcare system is complex and multifaceted, with one of its key elements being the operation of waiting lists. These lists allow patients to wait for necessary medical interventions in the appropriate order. Different types of waiting lists assist healthcare facilities in prioritizing patients who are in the greatest need.

The purpose of waiting lists is to ensure that patients receive faster and more efficient care. Since the interventions required for recovery cannot always be performed immediately, waiting lists help with organization and scheduling. This makes it clearer for both patients and doctors regarding when individuals will receive the necessary treatments.

There are two main types of waiting lists: institutional waiting lists and national waiting lists. These lists operate based on different criteria and pertain to various interventions. To ensure proper functioning, it is important for patients to be aware of their rights and the procedures related to waiting.

Institutional Waiting List

The institutional waiting list operates within a specific healthcare facility and determines the order in which patients receive treatment. Scheduling for various medical interventions, surgeries, and examinations is based on this list. For inpatient care facilities, it is essential to keep this list continuously updated to best serve the needs of their patients.

When placed on the waiting list, patients receive the necessary treatment at a pre-arranged time. For example, if a patient is waiting for a tonsillectomy, they will be added to the Ear, Nose, and Throat Department’s waiting list. In cases of life-threatening or urgent interventions, patients naturally receive priority and immediate care.

The goal of the institutional waiting list is to ensure that patients receive necessary medical interventions in a timely and orderly manner. This system increases the efficiency of care and helps avoid overcrowding in healthcare facilities.

National Waiting List

The national waiting list operates for larger and more complex interventions that generally require greater capacity. This list is particularly important for organ and tissue transplants, where patient admission is subject to strict medical criteria. The national waiting list is regulated by health legislation, and the admission of patients awaiting organ transplants is initiated by healthcare providers.

To be placed on the transplant waiting list, a patient must have insurance and be eligible for healthcare services. Additionally, it is necessary for the patient’s health insurance provider to approve the use of the care.

The maintenance of the transplant waiting list is carried out by the National Blood Supply Service Center. It is the responsibility of doctors to add patients who have a medically justified need for the intervention to the waiting list. Depending on the date of admission, the order of treatment may vary if the professional justification for care requires it.

Patients’ Rights and the Operation of the Waiting List

Patients have the right to request any examination that affects the order of waiting based on the recommendation of their treating physician. The waiting list contains essential personal identification data, such as name, mother’s name, year of birth, residence, and social security identification number. This data is handled according to strict legal regulations and is also recorded in healthcare documentation.

The data of patients on the waiting list is public but only in a form that does not allow for identification. For institutional waiting lists, this information can be viewed on the healthcare providers’ websites, while for central waiting lists, it can be accessed on the website of the authority designated by the relevant government decree.

The order of waiting lists can be modified based on changes in patients’ health conditions. If there is an urgent need for an intervention, the specialist will promptly take action to place the patient on the waiting list. In such cases, the patient receives immediate care if the medical justification requires it.

Thus, the operation of waiting lists not only protects patients’ rights but also serves to ensure the provision of appropriate medical care, offering a beneficial solution for all parties involved.